Palace Releases Itinerary for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (+ Wedding News)

Buckingham Palace shared next week’s schedule, which will see five days of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) events. Senior members of the Royal Family will help Queen Elizabeth to host a variety of events in different royal residences, including the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry, the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex. In addition to formal events held towards the end of the week, there will be a series of forums and roundtables that members of the family will attend based on their interests.

Update: Kensington Palace released further information on William, Harry and Meghan Markle’s activity next week. You can see that here.

Notably absent will be the Duchess of Cambridge who is due to give birth this month. While I might have said before it was possible the Duke of Edinburgh would make an appearance at the Queen’s birthday concert, I imagine that’s out of the question following his hip surgery. The Princess Royal also doesn’t appear to be attending any one-off meetings – I’m unclear on whether she’ll be at the formal events or if she’s out of commission for the entire week.

You can take a look more closely at the scheduled events below. I plan to cover each day’s events in a single post, with the exception of the Queen’s dinner on Thursday, which I will write up separately. Particularly as we get into the latter half of the week, I think these events will be fun to watch unfold!

In the meantime, here’s a quick update on the royal wedding:

The couple asked Lord Lieutenants to invite 1,200 people to join the celebrations, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities.

It’s also been confirmed by the Palace that the Obamas will not attend Harry and Meghan’s wedding. See below:

Confirmed today: @BarackObama and Michelle will NOT be coming to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding – despite their friendship but a source says the couple "hopes to meet them in the near future." Does that mean a US tour?? 🇺🇸 #RoyalWedding2018

As for a U.S. tour, I’ve wondered the same thing, tbh. Given that Meghan is American and spent years living in Toronto, a North America tour seems like a perfect way to welcome her to the family.

CHOGM Schedule

Monday, April 16

Morning
-Prince Harry will attend the Youth Cabinet Roundtable and opening session of the Commonwealth Youth Forum at the QEII Centre.

Afternoon
-The Duke of York will attend the Commonwealth Science Conference at the QEII Centre.

Evening
-The Duke of Cambridge will attend the Welcome to the UK Reception at the QEII Centre.
-The Duke of York will host a Commonwealth Pitch@Palace Reception at St James’s Palace.
-The Countess of Wessex will attend The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust Reception at Tower Bridge.

Tuesday, April 17

Morning / Afternoon
-The Prince of Wales will attend engagements with Youth and People’s Forums and will drop in to the ahead of session on the theme of plastics and sustainability.
-The Duke of Cambridge will attend a joint session of the Commonwealth Business and Youth Forum at the QEII Centre.
-The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will attend the Big Commonwealth Lunch Forum at the QEII Centre.

Wednesday, April 18

Morning
-Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will attend the closing session of the Commonwealth Youth Forum at the QEII Centre.

Afternoon
-The Prince of Wales will attend a reception at the closing session of the Commonwealth Business Forum at the QEII Centre.
-The Prince of Wales and The Duke of York will attend a Malaria No More event at Northumberland Avenue.
-The Duchess of Cornwall will attend a roundtable meeting and the closing session of Women’s Forum at the QEII Centre.

Evening
-The Prince of Wales will host a Prince’s Trust International CHOGM Reception at St. James’s Palace.

Thursday, April 19

Morning
-The Queen, accompanied by Members of The Royal Family, will host the CHOGM Formal Opening in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace.

Afternoon
-The Queen, accompanied by The Prince of Wales, will host a reception for new Heads of Government at Buckingham Palace.
-The Duchess of Cornwall will host Spouses for afternoon tea at Clarence House.
-Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will attend a Women’s Empowerment reception at the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Evening
-Members of the Royal Family will attend a state dinner at Buckingham Palace.

Friday, April 20

Morning

-The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry will attend a roundtable with African Foreign Ministers on Conservation and the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT).
-The Earl of Wessex will attend the Commonwealth Games Federation Sports Breakfast, Intercontinental.
-The Countess of Wessex will attend the Spouses’ Programme at Kew Gardens.

Saturday, April 21

To mark the end of the CHOGM week and The Queen’s Birthday there will be a Concert at the Royal Albert Hall attended by Her Majesty and Members of the Royal Family on Saturday 21 April 2018.